Swiss Abroad

Göldi returns to Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 14, 2010 Göldi had been caught in the middle of a row between Switzerland and Libya since July 2008. A deal to normalise relations has now been signed – the second such accord since the dispute began. Göldi returned in the early hours of Monday morning, arriving at Zurich airport. He was accompanied by Swiss Foreign Minister…

Read more: Göldi returns to Switzerland

Swiss Politics

Voters oppose return to centuries-old voting

This content was published on Jun 13, 2010 The initiative was rejected by 11,461 votes to 4,854 on Sunday. Turnout in the canton for the vote was 44.8 per cent. The cantonal government and the parliament were opposed to initiative, which would have seen the reintroduction of assemblies where the public elect representatives and decide on cantonal affairs with a show of hands.…

Swiss Politics

Broke Swiss societies in Britain seek revenue

This content was published on Jun 13, 2010 The federation held its 45th AGM at the Swiss Embassy on Saturday. All corners of the country were represented with members coming from as far away as Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Guernsey. It soon became clear even FOSSUK, the umbrella organisation representing Britain’s 24 Swiss societies and clubs, was not immune to the effects of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss named president of UN General Assembly

This content was published on Jun 11, 2010 Formally, the presidency of the General Assembly is the highest office in the UN. But unlike the UN secretary-general – currently Ban Ki-moon – the president has no decision-making powers. Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey was present for the vote in New York on Friday, describing Desiss’ election as a “great honour for Switzerland” and as…

Swiss Politics

Swiss guardedly hopeful after Göldi release

This content was published on Jun 11, 2010 Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, who is currently in the United States, said it was a “relief” and she was “very happy”. Speaking from New York, Calmy-Rey also thanked “our European Union partners, particularly Spain and Germany, for their support”. “This is one stage in a strategy. Now it’s important for him to be able…

Swiss Politics

Swiss bridge-builder to take over top UN job

This content was published on Jun 11, 2010 Formally, the presidency of the General Assembly is the highest office in the UN. But unlike the UN secretary-general – currently Ban Ki-moon – the president has no decision-making powers. Deiss was nominated in December 2009 and is the sole candidate. He will take up his office at the opening of the 65th session of…

Swiss Politics

Swiss move away from “tax haven” status

This content was published on Jun 10, 2010 The House of Representatives on Thursday followed the Senate in overwhelmingly accepting a package of ten double taxation agreements drawn up in accordance with the demands of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The countries with whom the agreements have been reached include the United States, United Kingdom and France. There is nothing…

Swiss Politics

Swiss hostage in Libya freed

This content was published on Jun 10, 2010 “His physical and mental state is good. He is in a hotel in Tripoli right now and on Saturday we will start making arrangements for an exit visa so he can return home,” said his Libyan lawyer, Salah Zahaf, on Thursday evening. Swiss Foreign Minîster Micheline Calmy-Rey, who is currently in the United States, said…

Tax accords backed by parliament

This content was published on Jun 10, 2010 The ten agreements, updated in line with international transparency standards set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), were approved by the House of Representatives on Thursday. They were backed by the Senate in March. Switzerland was last year placed on an OECD grey list of countries that had pledged to meet international…

Swiss Politics

Banks lobby for part in US financial reform

This content was published on Jun 9, 2010 The two Swiss banks have together spent nearly $3 million (SFr3.4 million) on lobbying so far this year alone. Two years after the collapse of the financial sector, Congress and Senate are reconciling their versions of proposed reform, one of US President Barack Obama’s priorities. A compromise text is expected to be adopted before July…

Swiss Abroad

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

Swiss Abroad

More

Göldi returns to Switzerland

More

Voters oppose return to centuries-old voting

More

Broke Swiss societies in Britain seek revenue

More

Swiss named president of UN General Assembly

More

Swiss guardedly hopeful after Göldi release

More

Swiss bridge-builder to take over top UN job

More

Swiss move away from “tax haven” status

More

Swiss hostage in Libya freed

More

Tax accords backed by parliament

More

Banks lobby for part in US financial reform

Popular Stories

Most Discussed